A Video Supplement for
Come, Follow Me Lesson 43:
Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation”
Transcript
The author of Hebrews shares some powerful perspectives about what Christ did for us, what he suffered for us, and in doing so helps point out that because of this, he is able to perfectly relate to and understand from the inside out, everything we experience. In developing this theme, we will look first at Hebrews 2 beginning with verses 10-11 and 16-18:
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Experiencing temptation and overcoming it mean that he knows first hand how to help us overcome our temptations as he did his. Although we don’t usually think about suffering as a path to perfection, it seems to have allowed the savior to gain first hand knowledge of aspects of existence that he would not have otherwise been exposed to such as experiencing, completely undeserved, the consequences of the totality of all human sins. Continuing with Hebrews 4, verse 12 and on,
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
The author of Hebrews is here arguing that Jesus is enabled to have profound compassion on us because he experienced what it was like to suffer the same things that we do. Alma 7, verses 11-13 makes this point just a touch more plainly
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
Returning to Hebrews 4 verse 16, what is the consequent of the Savior’s ability to perfectly relate to our circumstances and struggling?
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I recently attended a Christology conference where a learned keynote speaker addressed “the sinlessness of Christ”. I made notes. I was with him most of the way but found increasing difficulty when he got to Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15. Here are those notes. I will be interested in your reactions Louis and Jeff. The square brackets are my thoughts:
The Greek word is correctly translated but inaccurate. What of His passion? Hebrews 2:18 says He was tempted by what He suffered. Hebrews 4:15 – was in all points tempted and yet without sin. These arguments are inconclusive because they refer to the passion of Christ. Hebrew 4:15 – tempted like as we are. Like is not identity. [How can He then fully inspire us? Modern revelation clarifies]. His desire in Gethsemane not to die was human not sinful. Proposal. He shared in our fallenness but not in our sinfulness. If Christ did not assume our sinful nature how was He human? How much does He then share in our predicament? Sinless passions and sinful passions? Blameful passions [Sophistry]. It is blameless to feel hungry but it is blameful to be gluttonous.
I can provide more of these notes if you wish.
Jeff is right about this. One must keep in mind that his was an innocent death on our behalf. And not, as both Calvin and Luther taught, and contemporary conservation Protestants insist on in what the call the Penal Substitution theory of the atonement. In this, to me, bizarre theory, God the Son became fully guilty of all since past, present and future, and hence so outraged God the Father in his wrath against sin he had God the Son killed in the most terrible possible way.
The Book of Mormon makes it clear that Jesus of Nazareth was innocent of any sin. And Hebrew indicates that he was the Great High Priest who had come to offer a sacrifice that the Jewish High Priests offered once a year whey they smeared the blood of an animal on the horns of the altar in the Holy of Holies in the Temple and begged God to forgive the sins of Israel.
And Hebrew indicates that Jesus was the Great High Priest whose own blood managed to do for all humans freely–make a life after life possible, and one condition of repentance and earnest striving for sanctification and hence becoming genuine Saints, made a fullness of life possible for those who strive to keep the commandment. So Jesus of Nazareth–the fully innocent Holy One of Israel–won a victory for us over sin and death.
Hebrews comes the closest to actually linking Jesus of Nazareth with Yom Kippur (what the KJV calls Day of Atonement). But the KJV only uses the English word atonement once, where it should read “reconciliation.” The Book of Mormon has the Old Testament obsession with what went on the Day of Atonement from beginning to end. That famous and important ritual was clearly locked into the hearts and minds of Lehi and hence Nephites. And we are blessed by having their understanding of the what the Lord has already done and will still do for us, if we remember and keep the covenants we have made with him.
Louis, I quite agree with the absurdity of the Penal Substitution theory but where did Christ’s suffering come from – fully innocent and supremely empowered as He was. Was it the withdrawal of the Father – those ‘forsaken’ moments; the descent into ‘nothingness’ as per Moses? (If so, what does that tells us about the constant sustaining power of God who is literally lending us breath day to day – what does it say about any ultimate state of godlessness?) Certainly this was not a divine penalty imposed upon an innocent (?), though suffering is referred to as the heritage of the faithful? What are the implications of saying He was ‘subjected’ to suffering, when such an expression suggests a coercive agent? And physical suffering alone does not touch the magnitude of the experience.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thank you for showing how Hebrews 4 teaches this beautiful principle. I would add that while his natural experiences over his short life acquainted him with many temptations and pains, the supernatural experience of the Atonement at the end of his ministry is what allowed him to fully taste and understand the pains and guilt of all of us, fulfilling Nephi’s prophecy in 2 Nephi 9:21 that “he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.”